Pregnancy Week By Week
Week 23, Week 24 and Week 25

Week 23

Baby:

Your baby is about 8 inches from crown to rump and weighs almost 1 pound. The body is becoming proportioned more like a newborn, but skin is still wrinkled because your baby still has more weight to gain. Lanugo hair on the body sometimes turns darker.

Mother:

Your round belly is definitely noticeable by now. Weight gain will be about 12 to 15 pounds. Vaginal secretions that are typically clear-to-yellowish with a faint smell increase during pregnancy. Check with your practitioner if the color or odor changes significantly since it could signal an infection. You may still have aches in the small of your back. Lying down, massages and applying a heating pad or hot water bottle to the area can help.

Dad:

Furry friends.

If you have pets, perhaps you've wondered what will happen after baby arrives. There are a few things you can do to make this transition into co-habitation (we mean baby and pet) smoother.

Schedule an appointment with your vet. It's very important that your cat, dog, or other pet is vaccinated and in good health.
Pets are usually starved for attention when a new baby comes. Ease them into it by slightly decreasing play time, walks, etc.
Set physical boundaries. Let your pet know in uncertain terms that some areas are off limits.
Start using a different scented laundry soap for baby's things: clothing, blanket, etc. Have your pets sniff these to get used to the new scent. When baby arrives, it won't be such a shock.

Watch closely the first few days after baby arrives home. Being prepared is the key here!

Do's and Don'ts:

Don't get overwhelmed by all the things you need to do before the baby gets here. Close your eyes, imagine your baby snuggled safely in your womb, and take deep breaths. Experts say visualization helps you reduce stress when life gets too hectic.

Exercise:

Most experts agree that exercise helps you weather the aches and pains of pregnancy and may even prevent serious illnesses such as gestational diabetes. Still, long and hard workouts can be too much of a good thing. Limit your regimen to no more than 30 minutes a day. (The guidelines are a little different if you're an athlete.)

Tips for this week

As your skin continues to stretch, it may become dry and itchy. Keeping it moist with lotions or cream can help reduce these symptoms.

Week 24

Baby:

Your baby, now about in its 22nd week of development, is 8.4 inches from crown to rump and weighs about 1.2 pounds. It is starting to produce white blood cells, mostly for combating disease and infection, and may respond to your touch or sounds. If you haven't felt hiccups yet, you might feel some jerking motion now.

Mother:

Your uterus is about 1.5 to 2 inches above your navel. Expect to gain about a pound per week this month. Glucose screens for detecting gestational diabetes are given between this week and 28 weeks.

Dad:

If you're like us, you've heard rumours of male pregnancy. (And for the record, we're not talking about Couvade Syndrome, where expectant fathers take on pregnancy symptoms from being with their partner.) IndianMomsAndBabies.com's team has been busy investigating the rumors of 'male pregnancy'. Enjoy!

Do's and Don'ts:

Do wear sunglasses when you step out in warmer months. It's a good habit to develop even if you aren't pregnant, but it's especially helpful now that your eyes have grown more sensitive to the light.

Exercise:

Even if you're pressed for time, try not to skip warm-ups and cool-downs at your exercise class. Easing into and out of a workout prevents injuries and slowly increases or decreases your breathing and heart rates. Some quick and easy moves: Rotate your arms in large circles or walk in place.

Tips for this week

Dad-to-be might be able to hear the baby's heartbeat by putting his ear to your abdomen.

Week 25

Baby:

Your developing baby now measures about 8.8 inches from crown to rump and weighs 1.5 pounds. Skin now becomes opaque instead of transparent. Its body is still covered with folds like a puppy dog that need to grow into its skin. Heartbeat can be heard through a stethoscope or, depending on the position of the baby, by others putting an ear against your belly.

Mother:

Besides your uterus growing upward, it may be getting bigger on the sides of your abdomen. You may be experiencing hemorrhoids, which are dilated blood vessels in the rectal area caused by increased blood flow, constipation, indigestion and heartburn.

Dad:

If you're like many expectant fathers, financial and insurance matters weigh heavy on your mind. Where and how do you start planning these necessities for a new baby? Don't worry, we've outlined a few of the basics for you. Choosing a life insurance representative is a good place to start.

Do's and Don'ts:

Do keep a water bottle handy and drink from it frequently. Staying hydrated prevents swelling in your hands and feet, which is common at this stage, especially when it's hot and humid. If your hands and face seem unusually puffy or if swelling comes on suddenly, check in with your health care provider. You'll want to rule out preeclampsia, a potentially dangerous health condition that can occur during pregnancy.

Exercise:

Tread lightly as your pregnancy progresses. Your balance is increasingly precarious, so consider skipping--or at least take extra care during--exercises that require hopping or quick changes of direction, such as jogging and step aerobics.

Tips for this week:

To soothe hemorrhoids, apply an ice pack or witch hazel, or try a sitz bath (soaking your bottom in shallow warm water) or over-the-counter suppositories and/or medicated wipes such as Tucks. Don't take laxatives or mineral oil.